Pan Pasifika Hub gets the green light
A Pacific Islands-themed multi-cultural community centre in central Hamilton is a step closer to reality after the Hamilton City Council gave its seal of approval to two major requirements for its construction – which could begin in September.
On Thursday, the council’s community committee unanimously approved a land use change from ‘‘recreation’’ to ‘‘local purpose’’, as well as a decision to enter into an agreement to lease the site in Hinemoa Park, on the corner of Mill St and Seddon Rd, to the K’aute Pasifika Trust.
The proposed $9.6m Pan Pasifika Hub now appears almost certain to be built on the premises of the defunct and now-deserted Stadium Bowling Club, across the road from FMG Stadium Waikato.
A packed public gallery inside the council chambers burst into applause at the approval of the land use change, and following the decision to enter into the lease the trust members gathered to serenade the assembled councillors and staff with a pese (waiata).
Trust chief executive Rachel Karalus told the committee the centre was a place the people of Hamilton could use as a gathering point, regardless of ethnicity, age, gender or financial status.
‘‘We want to take the fences down, both literally and figuratively.’’
Mayor Paula Southgate welcomed the decision – as did each of the assembled councillors – and said she had faith the trust would be able to get the best value out of the asset for Hamilton.
‘‘This feels like a festive occasion,’’ remarked Cr Sarah Thomson, who added she was a big fan of Claudelands Park where people from all walks of life could be encountered.
She hoped the establishment of the cultural centre would transform Hinemoa Park into a similar convergence point for people of all cultures.
Cr Margaret Forsyth said she had recently visited the old bowling club and found it to be a place of ‘‘emptiness and abandoness and disuse . . . like a ghost town.’’
Cr Martin Gallagher said he hoped the nearby ‘‘V8 Memorial Car Park’’ – a large slab of concrete pavement one of the last reminders of the city’s temporary and costly transformation into a car racing circuit – would be developed into additional green space.
The bowling club site sits in the centre of what is known as the ‘‘West Town Belt’’, an expansive 54ha network of parks and gully on the edge of Hamilton’s central city. The final proposal and lease agreement will be reported back to the Community Committee in August for approval. Resource consent has already been granted for the centre. K’aute have secured $2.1 million in funding from Trust Waikato and will apply for Department of Internal Affairs funding in early March, as well as numerous community grants over the coming months. Consultants will be hired, designs and costings made, and building consents lodged and approved before the builders go in, at this stage in late September.
Cr Rob Pascoe attempted to move an amendment to the lease, aiming to add in a further clause to prevent any commercial activities on the site.
Pascoe said he wanted to ‘‘achieve some equity and consistency across all community leases’’.
This was the cue for the other councillors to chime in, partially to denounce the amendment – which was easily defeated – but also to have a second round of accolades for the proposed centre.
‘‘This is an amazing opportunity,’’ Cr Ewan Wilson enthused. ‘‘These things don’t just happen. It’s taken real leadership and determination.’’
Mayor Paula Southgate said she had faith the trust would be able to get the best value out of the asset for Hamilton.